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The Mavericks’ Mini Cooper

By

Scott Cacciola

Jun 8, 2011 2:47 pm ET

AFP/Getty Images

According to official NBA measurements, J.J. Barea is merely a foot shorter than Dirk Nowitzki.

The smallest player in the NBA Finals had endured a tough series heading into the second half of Tuesday’s Game 4 at American Airlines Center. But during a 3 ½-minute stretch of the third quarter, José Juan Barea of the Dallas Mavericks reminded the basketball world why he had a seat at this very exclusive table, despite his height. He knocked down a 14-foot jumper, launched himself at the rim for a reverse layup, shoveled a no-look pass to Shawn Marion for a dunk and missed two shots—both of which led directly to put-back buckets by teammates.